The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Fri, May 27, 2022 | 01:34
Country Report
'Separate humanitarian issue from politics'
Posted : 2013-03-25 19:02
Updated : 2013-03-25 19:02
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Victor Hsuof Korea Development Institute

Victor Hsu
of Korea Development Institute

By Chung Min-uck

Victor Hsu, 63, director of International Aid and Education at the state-run Korea Development Institute (KDI), believes humanitarian aid should be given to North Korea regardless of the political situation.

"Humanitarian aid should be separate from political considerations," Hsu said in an interview with The Korea Times. "The humanitarian principle suggests that one must give assistance because there is need, and a human being is suffering or ill. So, the humanitarian imperative should be foremost."

"Coming from the NGO community, I would like to emphasize that very strongly," he added.

The KDI professor worked for World Vision International from 2005 to 2010, providing humanitarian aid to North Korea.

He was the national director for North Korea, overseeing various types of aid given to the isolated nation. Hsu was also with the U.S. National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches, and visited the North numerous times during his career, since the 1980s.

"The operational environment is different in North Korea from what one might experience in other countries in the sense that there has to be very close cooperation with the government," he said. "Without government approval, nothing can be done in terms of humanitarian intervention. But once an agreement is reached, it actually proceeds quite smoothly and, in fact, because of the facilitation of the government, so things tend to improve and proceed more efficiently than otherwise."

Touching on the United Nations Human Rights Council's launch of a Commission of Inquiry (COI), a probe into human rights violations in North Korea, Hsu raised concerns over its inaccessibility to North Korea.

"Setting up a COI is good because it reflects the grave concern of the international community," he said. "But like the previous United Nations Special Rapporteur, they would not have access. So a COI, without data, without reliable information, without reliable cooperation of the North Korean government, I think it would be highly problematic."

"Whatever report is made after the probe will not be authentic. There will always be a feel of superficiality," he added.

As an alternative, the Taiwanese-American expert suggested that non-government sector personnel actively engage in the North Korea human rights issue.

"A COI is official and North Korea is accusing it of being politically motivated. So it is going to be difficult for the U.N. body to work properly," he said. "The best approach would be through some other form including the private sector so that there can be more discussion of about human rights issues."

Emailmuchung@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
  • Corporate sponsors in dilemma over Son Heung-min's skyrocketing model fee
  • Why doesn't US want to add South Korea to Quad?
  • Supreme Court upholds 1 1/2-yr prison term for disgraced K-pop star Seungri
  • Desperation becomes sorrow after elementary school shooting
  • South Korean military to start using more advanced helmets this year
  • Undocumented resident gets 1.5-year jail term for financing Syria-based terrorist group
  • BOK hikes policy rate to 1.75% to combat inflation
  • British TV presenter views 'brutal' netizens as challenge to Korean entertainment
  • [INTERVIEW] Korea should open bio-related big data to private sector
  • Employers criticize Supreme Court ruling against peak wage system
  • Former GFriend member Yuju sings on track for drama 'Kiss Sixth Sense' Former GFriend member Yuju sings on track for drama 'Kiss Sixth Sense'
  • Webtoon 'Navillera' nominated for renowned Eisner Award Webtoon 'Navillera' nominated for renowned Eisner Award
  • Tim Burton's iconic world of misunderstood misfits returns to Korea Tim Burton's iconic world of misunderstood misfits returns to Korea
  • Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to Leave' draws favorable media reviews at Cannes Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to Leave' draws favorable media reviews at Cannes
  • [INTERVIEW] 'We want to help Korean dancers build global fandoms' [INTERVIEW] 'We want to help Korean dancers build global fandoms'
DARKROOM
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group